The Personal Life of David Livingstone eBook

map displayed in the rooms of the Geographical Society,
substantially his own, but with another name in conspicuous
letters. On the Zambesi he had had difficulties,
little suspected, of which in the meantime he would
say nothing to the public. A letter to his daughter
Agnes, after he had gone to Bangweolo, dwells also
much on his past difficulties—­as if he
felt that the slow progress he was making at the moment
needed explanation or apology. Amid such topics,
almost involuntary touches of the old humor occur:
“I broke my teeth tearing at maize and other
hard food, and they are coming out. One front
tooth is out, and I have such an awful mouth.
If you expect a kiss from me, you must take it through
a speaking-trumpet.” In one respect, amid
all his trials, his heart seems to become more tender
than ever—­in affection for his children,
and wise and considerate advice for their guidance.
In his letter to Agnes, he adverts with some regret
to a chance he lost of saying a word for his family
when Lord Palmerston sent Mr. Hayward, Q.C., to ask
him what he could do to serve him. “It
never occurred to me that he meant anything for me
or my children till I was out here. I thought
only of my work in Africa, and answered accordingly.”
It was only the fear that his family would be in want
that occasioned this momentary regret at his disinterested
answer to Lord Palmerston.

CHAPTER XX.

MANYUEMA.

A.D. 1869-1871.

He sets out to explore Manyuema and the river Lualaba—­Loss
of forty-two letters—­His feebleness through
illness—­He arrives at Bambarre—­Becomes
acquainted with the soko or gorilla—­Reaches
the Luama River—­Magnificence of the country—­Repulsiveness
of the people—­Cannot get a canoe to explore
the Lualaba—­Has to return to Bambarre—­Letter
to Thomas, and retrospect of his life—­Letter
to Sir Thomas Maclear and Mr. Mann—­Miss
Tinne—­He is worse in health than ever, yet
resolves to add to his programme and go round Lake
Bangweolo—­Letter to Agnes—­Review
of the past—­He sets out anew in a more
northerly direction—­Overpowered by constant
wet—­Reaches Nyangwe—­Long detention—­Letter
to his brother John—­Sense of difficulties
and troubles—­Nobility of his spirit—­He
sets off with only three attendants for the Lualaba—­Suspicions
of the natives—­Influence of Arab traders—­Frightful
difficulties of the way—­Lamed by foot-sores—­Has
to return to Bambarre—­Long and wearisome
detention—­Occupations—­Meditations
and reveries—­Death no terror—­Unparalleled
position and trials—­He reads his Bible from
beginning to end four times—­Letter to Sir
Thomas Maclear—­To Agnes—­His
delight at her sentiments about his coming home—­Account
of the soko—­Grief to hear of death of Lady
Murchison—­Wretched character of men sent
from Zanzibar—­At last sets out with Mohamad—­Difficulties—­Slave-trade
most horrible—­Cannot get canoes for Lualaba—­Long
waiting—­New plan—­Frustrated by